From August 14 to 16, CCW hosted yet another memorable Executive Exchange in New Orleans with insightful speakers, innovative solution providers, and a gathering of customer contact leaders ready to transform the industry.
CCWomen, a professional platform for women and allies, had the honor of holding a morning panel and an informal meetup after the event. We saw some friendly faces and built new connections all while enjoying everything that New Orleans had to offer—from its resplendent music to its lively people.
Here, we provide a brief recap of our time in the beloved Crescent City.
Authenticity is at the heart of a thriving career.
Our panelists, Jasmine Reno and Casey Macmillan, shared their experiences as women in customer contact and how they built their roadmaps to success. I moderated our session with a usual dose of mild anxiety, but with two powerhouses and my trusty Lexapro, I knew our conversation was in good hands.
To nurture a fulfilling career and hold onto our core values, women sometimes have to refuse certain opportunities. It’s not worth jeopardizing our identities and beliefs for a role that doesn’t align with us. But when society puts us in a box, whether as a wife or mother, as someone submissive or obedient, it can be difficult for us to shatter limited perspectives without a community to support us.
Reno shared:
“I love these conferences because I love seeing Black women doing what I do. We’re not always in the room or the table. We’re not always welcomed for our opinions. So, I think it’s important to be in a position to understand our authentic selves. We have to be strong in our conviction of what we want to do, and why we want to do it. Everyone in this room is being challenged and celebrating the same things, as far as contact centers go. It doesn’t matter if we’re in healthcare, finance, or banking. When we find common ground, we can create those connections to be able to have better and more real conversations.”
So, how do we put this to action? Macmillan recommended a simple yet powerful habit:
“Practice, practice, practice. Find your safe zone. I found mine and said, here’s what I want to discuss. Then, we would talk about it, we would argue, and have that back and forth.We would have very transparent and trusting dialogue. Then, I was ready to start having those conversations professionally. I didn’t know how to practice without my safe zone, so I needed to learn. We all learn by doing.”
The powerful woman was not made to be alone—and a resounding theme throughout our discussion was the importance and necessity of community, especially when building self-confidence.
Our first CCWomen off-site meetup? A bayou-tiful experience in the making.
Outside our traditional conferences, CCWomen is passionate about creating spaces where we can break bread, talk about our personal and professional lives, and nurture lasting memories that make each CCW event all the more unique.
During this CCW Exchange, we soft launched our first-ever CCWomen meetup that invited plus members and allies to participate. Our afternoon started at the Court of Two Sisters, an eclectic buffet with food options that immediately encouraged us to go for seconds and thirds.
Jaysa Boyer, long-time CCWomen advocate and employer engagement leader, led us on a much needed post-lunch stroll to enjoy a brief, but unforgettable afternoon in the Big Easy. We listened to vibrant street music, marveled at the colorful and historic architecture, and stopped by Cafe du Monde for their renowned beignets. We learned about one another while discussing our passions, and shared moments of laughter as we snapped pictures and videos of our adventures.
Overall, our meetup consisted of lively conversations and a soulful atmosphere that encouraged the highest form of camaraderie—even amongst strangers. Isn’t that what CCWomen is all about?
Don’t miss our next meetup. Join CCWomen today!
At CCWomen, we don’t just celebrate career milestones—we uplift the whole woman by being a platform for her unique story.
Need career guidance? Looking to tap into a network of leaders, mentors, and industry disruptors? We have plenty of seats at the table, and are just getting started with our in-person meetups.
